Summertime means fun, the sun and overpriced beer in plastic cups on a grassy knoll while a band you've only heard of in passing rocks the stage. It's festival time again, but before shelling out any of your summer cash, learn about who's playing, why they might suck, and why you should or shouldn't go. This summer holds a countless amount of these celebrations of good music and opportunities for camaraderie, so why not check your brain at the door for two days and rock on out?
Coachella's stellar slew of bands has some students whining, as it's almost impossible to attend. "I was definitely planning on going to Coachella, but I can't because of finals and everything," said Genny Ramos, a sophomore in CAS. Those who are hardcore enough will certainly risk their entire grade to see Weezer again.
Bonnaroo Manchester, Tennessee, June 10-12
The annual Bonnaroo Festival, held first in 2002 on a 700-acre farm in rural Tennessee, has in the past catered to a more hippie crowd. While that still may be true, this year Bonnaroo is opening its doors not only to the usual Dave Matthews Band/Trey Anastasio/Widespread Panic jam band holy trinity, but also such hot indie acts as Rilo Kiley, Joanna Newsom and Scene pick Old Crow Medicine Show. Even old country-folkie John Prine, who recovered from neck cancer recently, will be there, playing to the expected 90,000 attendees. Other events include a comedy tent, "Festival Yoga" and "Kidz Jam." The price is, however, a little steep: $172.50 for a three-day pass.
Pitchfork Intonation Festival Chicago, Illinois, July 16-17
Pitchforkmedia.com, the online music magazine written by music snobs for music snobs, will curate Chicago's annual Intonation Festival this year. Acts include Scene picks the Decemberists, The Wrens, A.C. Newman and the Go! Team, all in Pulaski Park (on multiple stages, of course) for two days. There are no advance tickets, but it's a measly $10 at the gate per day. Also, Will Oldham of Bonnie "Prince" Billy and Palace Music fame will be doing a special DJ set. In short, this promises to be amazing. If you can deal with mid-July Chicago heat and name-dropping music jerks, and happen to be in Chicago or thereabouts this summer, totally hit this up.
Sasquatch George, Washington, May 28
Perhaps the holy grail of summer music festivals this year is Sasquatch, in Washington state. For those who are no longer satisfied with Memorial Day potato salad and hamburgers, grab a dose of the Pixies, Arcade Fire and Modest Mouse instead at the Sasquatch Festival's main stage. The smaller stage includes acts like A.C. Newman, Joanna Newsom and The Dears, while the teeny stage has 12-year-old pop sensations Smoosh. This festival will surely be a hot ticket. Held in a gorge in the middle of the state, attendees will be really roughing it with their favorite stars of indie rock. But with a beer garden and on-site Domino's Pizza, what more could you ask for? Camping passes can be purchased for $30 per day, and the whole festival costs $55.
Coachella Indio, California, April 30- May 1
Coachella is an East Coaster's dream. The lineup last year, with the Pixies headlining, made Indio, Calif., seem like a far-off paradise of good music, camping and drug abuse. Never mind the portable toilets and the smelly human mass of outdoor campers - this year's festival looks just as tempting as the last. With Brits Bauhaus and Coldplay gracing the stage alongside the likes of Weezer and Wilco on the first day, concertgoers should be motivated enough to pay the extra $70 that comes with a two-day pass. New Order, Bright Eyes and Nine Inch Nails will headline the second day, forcing a personal choice on whether it's worth $80 to see the eclectic lineup this fete has in store. The festival runs April 30-May 1, and tickets can be ordered through Ticketmaster.com.
HFStival Baltimore, Maryland, May 14
The recently changed format of HFS 99.1 (it has moved temporarily to Baltimore's Live 105.7) has not deterred the station from holding its annual mix of performances that pleases all kinds. With a diverse spectrum of acts - we're talking from Echo and the Bunnymen to Billy Idol to Jimmie's Chicken Shack - dads and their angst-ridden teenagers can both attend this one and bond in their quiet misunderstanding of each other. HFStival, is the closest summer fest for AU students, and Rachel Ichniowski, junior in SOC and Baltimore native, has good feelings about it.
"HFS is a bit expensive, but the lineup is way better than in past years," she said.
Join old and new acts alike at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on May 14. Tickets can be ordered through Ticketmaster.com.
Lollapalooza Chicago, Illinois, July 23-24
Poor, poor Perry Farrell. All he wants is to see his precious little music festival rise from the dead. Will this be the year? We're all crossing our fingers and thinking happy thoughts for you, Perry. This year the festival will switch formats from a touring festival (which was suddenly cancelled last summer due to meager ticket sales), to a stationary, two-day event held in Chicago's Grant Park, making Chicago THE place to be for huge-scale music this summer. The lineup is not yet announced, but keep your eyes peeled as to what the big Lollapalooza has in store this year.
Music Midtown Atlanta, Georgia, June 10-12
The Hotlanta gets that much more hot when Music Midtown kicks off for its 12th year. Headlining this year's three-day festival are the White Stripes, the Pixies, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Devo, Kid Rock and ... Alan Jackson? The real suspense is whether or not the Black Eyed Peas, following their jaw-dropping duet of "Let's Get it Started" with Franz Ferdinand at the Grammies, will pair with the Killers, Interpol or Bloc Party for another moment in musical blasphemy. The only thing guaranteed is that Louis XIV, also performing at the will be all cock and no rock. A ticket for the entire festival is $75. Call 404-249-6400.
SCENE PICKS FOR EACH FESTIVAL
1. Bonnaroo - Old Crow Medicine Show - This amazing bluegrass sextet will surely blow your socks off. First of all, they are all absolute stone foxes. Second of all, they have awesome names like "Critter" and "Ketch." Third of all, they'll get you on your feet faster than you can say "Wow this is the best band I've never heard" or "Geez, there are so many banjos on stage!" or "I'm soooo drunk!"
2. Pitchfork Intonation Festival - The Go! Team - The Go! Team hails from Brighton, England, a town that's also the native habitat of spinster Fatboy Slim and a large homosexual community. People go there for the hopping nightlife, and The Go! Team fits the town's standard for originality and fun. Their recently released album, "Thunder, Lighting, Strike!" is a mix of fast-paced driving music, record-scratching, and short, shouty raps.
3. Sasquatch - The Pixies - The Pixies are have been all over the place in the past year, and the trend continues with an extended tour this summer. Seeing them at Sasquatch would be a treat - they'll blow away the other critically acclaimed, new-to-the-biz competition with one riff of "Debaser."
4. Coachella - New Order - New Order are among the pile of bands that have decided to reform recently, and the youngins will be shocked to find out that "Blue Monday" wasn't actually an Orgy original. See legends and former members of Joy Division liven the stage with their synth beats and see if they still do what they did best in the mid-'80s.
5. HFSTIVAL - Echo and the Bunnymen - Forget that song from the "Donnie Darko" soundtrack, but if that's enough to get you go, so be it. These brit-poppers are one of the legions of '80s bands to feel the need to reform and tour, but unlike, say, the Wedding Present, these dudes totally rock.
6. Lollapalooza - The lineup hasn't been announced yet, but we're guessing the Flaming Lips. Cross your fingers. Poor, poor Perry Ferrell.
7. Music Midtown - Bloc Party - One of the coolest new acts from the UK, Bloc Party play high-energy rock 'n roll you can dance to. But unlike the new wave of dance bands, Kele Okereke and company use complex guitar, bass and drum rhythms instead of synths to make their songs groove. Definitely worth checking out.
